 Abstract |
Electrical stimulation of neurons is a recognised therapeutic approach for the treatment of several neurodegenerative pathologies (e.g. Parkinson disease, audio prosthesis, etc). These techniques could have a high impact on the treatment of other pathologies like epilepsy, or to restore function as in blindness. For these applications, the long term stability of the device is mandatory and a closer neuro-electronic interface is required to lower the threshold of neuronal activation.
Currently available commercial devices are based on metallised electrodes which are degraded in a physiological environment and induce reactive gliosis leading to insulating interfaces. The high resolution required for vision and the stimulation of graded potential neurons requires the use of complex and very precise stimulators capable of generating signals of varying intensity. Recent progress in nanotechnologies and their application for biology have motivated the emergence of new interfacing concepts for direct communication between biological and electronics. DREAMS proposes to study and fabricate novel types of nanotransducers, which are based on artificial nanocrystalline diamond (NCD).
NCD is a semiconductor that exhibits extreme biocompatibility and stability in physiological media. From the NCD surface functionalisation, selective physiological applications can be fabricated to high extend. The use of NCD diamond films for coating of metallic electrodes or non metallised CMOS devices will produce novel active hybrid structures on which neural cells can be grown to fabricate novel biocompatible implants to restore a useful vision. Survival of neurons and particularly retinal cells will be evaluated on NCD diamond surfaces. Then NCD neuro-compatible interfaces will be fabricated and tested in-vitro for their ability to activate neurones that will be recorded individually with the patch clamp technique. Finally, the project will lead to the fabrication of matrix of Field Effect Transistor structures that can be validated for stimulation of the retina as well as for readout of the retinal signals in-vivo. |
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Proposal/Contract no.: FP6-STREP NMP 033345
Starting Date : 1rst nov 2006 |
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